Michael Holder (left) is taken down by Rockhurst's Oussie Gueye.
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Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Champions always seem to find a way to win, and Northern Kentucky University has used a rather unusual method for pulling out victories the past two Sunday afternoons on the soccer field.
It's called an own goal.
NKU outlasted visiting Rockhurst in an extremely physical battle Sunday afternoon by a 1-0 score. The defending NCAA Division II national champion Norse received their rings commemorating the 2010 title prior to the contest, and then Rockhurst gave NKU a gift just five minutes into the game.
Anthony Meyer hurled a throw-in from the right sideline over the outstretched hand of Rockhurst keeper Ryan Bass to the front of the goal, where Hawk defender George Skevington (pictured left) headed the ball into the net attempting a clearance. The own goal gave NKU a 1-0 lead, and the defense made the score stand as the Norse improved to 6-0 overall, 4-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Last Sunday in Evansville, Ind., NKU edged Southern Indiana, 3-2, when the Screaming Eagles defense misplayed a clearance into their own net with the score tied at 2-all.
NKU extended its two-year winning streak to 16 by surviving the Rockhurst challenge. NKU has not lost since Oct. 22, 2010, when Missouri-St. Louis pulled out a 2-1 victory against the Norse in St. Louis.
A year ago, NKU scored a pair of second-half goals to rally from a 2-0 deficit at Rockhurst and settled for a 2-2 draw in Kansas City, Mo.
NKU owned a 15-12 edge in shot attempts on Sunday in an evenly played contest. Norse goalie
Sanjit Kang stopped three Rockhurst shots and earned the shutout.
Rockhurst is 3-2 overall, 2-2 in the GLVC. The NKU/Rockhurst series is now tied at 6-6-3.
NKU travels to Springfield, Mo., on Friday for an 8:30 p.m. (Eastern time) GLVC contest at Drury. The Norse wrap up the road trip next Sunday with a 3:30 p.m. game at Missouri S&T.
